Alliance For Action (AfA) On Norms For Joss Paper Burning

Background

The Alliance for Action (AfA) on Norms for Joss Paper Burning was established in July 2022 to forge a consensus within the Chinese community on the desired norms for responsible joss paper burning and to develop public education (PE) campaigns to promote these norms.

The AfA was led by representatives from the Singapore Buddhist Federation and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, and included members such as cultural expert, representatives from the leading Buddhist and Taoist organisations, selected temple leaders, Chinese media representatives, and the Singapore Religious Goods Merchants Association.

What AfA Has Done

Between July 2022 and February 2025, the AfA developed and refined norms for responsible joss paper burning. These sought to correct misperceptions about syncretic practices and discourage irresponsible actions, which often causes public inconveniences such as smoke, smell, fly-ash and pests for other residents.

During this period, the AfA promoted these guidelines through six PE campaigns during the 7^th Lunar Month and Lunar New Year, peak periods for joss paper burning in residential areas. The campaigns used conventional and digital media, including the following:

Posters displayed around the housing estates;
Videos and digital posters broadcasted on digital display panels at the HDB lift lobbies and key events for the Chinese community such as River Hongbao and Getai shows;
Wobblers featuring AfA’s messages at supermarkets (displayed next to joss paper products) and religious goods shops;
Radio advertisements, Facebook livestreams and paid media platforms; and
A music video featuring Ms Liu Lingling in July 2024, to further expand outreach to the Chinese community.

The AfA also organised four public dialogue sessions (with livestreaming) over the last 3 years to enhance public understanding of joss paper burning. These sessions explained the origins of joss burning paper and debunked common syncretic practices, especially those practices that caused inconveniences to public.

Impact of AfA’s Initiatives

The AfA’s efforts resulted in a significant decline in public feedback on joss paper burning.

For the Lunar New Year period, the feedback reflected a drop by 23% when compared to the feedback volume prior to AFA’s PE efforts.
For the 7^th Lunar Month period, the feedback fell by 31%, reaching an all-time low in 2024 after the AfA’s PE campaign in July 2024.

Conclusion of AfA

Having established norms for responsible joss paper burning, the AfA concluded its work after the Lunar New Year 2025 campaign. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will build on the efforts by the AfA and work closely with stakeholders and community partners to promote responsible joss paper burning practices through continued PE efforts.

More details on the AfA members, established norms on joss paper burning and campaign materials can be found in the dropdown sections below.

Composition of AfA

Name	Designation	Organisation
Co-Leads
Kua Soon Khe 柯孙科	Co-Lead for AfA on Norms for Joss Paper Burning 行动联盟联合主席 Chief Executive, Singapore Buddhist Federation 《新加坡佛教总会》执⾏⻓
Teo Hark Piang, BBM 张学彬 BBM	Co-Lead for AfA on Norms for Joss Paper Burning 行动联盟联合主席 Council Member cum Youth Committee Vice-Chairman, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations 理事兼青年委员会副主任
Members
Venerable Shi You Wei 释有维法师	Abbot, Di Zang Lin 《地藏林》住持
Venerable Shi You Guang 释有广法师	Abbot, Dong Xun Ge (Samantabhadra Vihara) 《东眴阁》住持
Benjamin Tan 陈贤达道长	Leader of Prayer & Blessing Group and Special Committee Member, Taoist Federation (Singapore) 《新加坡道教总会》祈祷⼩组组⻓ & 特别委员
Liow Kok Ann	Board Member, Wat Ananda 《阿南达弥提雅拉玛泰佛寺》董事
Pua Luck Kheng 潘乐敬	Unit Manager, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery 《光明山普觉禅寺》社群发展处经理
Yeo Cheong Hua 杨昌华	Chairman, Singapore Religious Goods Merchants Association (SRGMA) 《新加坡神料同业商会》会长
Hoo Hung Chye 何鸿材	Executive Director, The Association of Funeral Directors Singapore 《新加坡殡葬协会》执行董事
Master Chung Kwang Tong (Wei Yi) 庄光栋（惟義）道長	President, Quan Zhen Cultural Society 新加坡全真教化協會, 會長兼經懺導師
Dr Benjie Ng Ser Kwei 黄思快博士	General Secretary, Soon Thian Keing (Tua Konsi) Ltd 《顺天宫》秘书长
Dong Nong Zheng 董农政	Geomancer and Interpreter on Chinese Customs and Folk Belief 民俗学家，风水命理师，诗人作家
Choo Chee Wee, Bernard 朱志伟	Editor, Shin Min Daily News 《新明日报》总编辑
Chua Chim Kang 蔡深江	Media Professional 媒体人

Norms for Joss Paper Burning

During Lunar New Year, residents should observe the following:

1. 新年到了万象更新，齐心协力确保环境更清洁。

As we usher in the Lunar New Year, let’s be considerate to our neighbours and the environment.

2. 接送神明拜天公，虔诚祭拜与了解初衷。请在指定的焚烧桶焚烧金银纸，切勿在公共走廊，楼梯口或电梯大堂焚烧金银纸。

Sincerity matters more than the location for prayers to be received. Joss paper should be burnt at the designated bins. Do not burn joss paper along common corridors, staircases or at lift lobbies.

3. 购买大型纸制祭品前，请查看焚烧桶的尺寸是否容纳得下。祭拜后，请清理香烛祭品，保持环境清洁。

Ensure that offerings fit into the joss paper burners provided by Town Councils before purchasing them. Please clear up your offerings after your prayers.

4. 不妨考虑到邻近庙宇进行祭拜活动。

Consider doing new year prayer rituals in temples instead of residential estates.

During 7^th Lunar Month, residents should observe the following:

1. 祭祀时心存环保，关怀邻里。

Let’s foster goodwill by being considerate towards our environment and neighbours when burning offerings.

2. 请在指定的地点焚烧金银纸。勿在公共走廊，楼梯口或电梯大堂焚烧金银纸。

Joss paper should be burnt at the designated areas. Do not burn joss paper along common corridors, staircases or at lift lobbies.

3. 切勿乱抛金银纸。祭祀后，请记得清理香烛祭品，保持环境清洁。

Do not toss or scatter joss paper, and ensure that you clear up your offerings after prayers.

4. 祭祀在于诚心而非金银纸的数量，适量焚烧，减少烟雾和灰烬。

Burn offerings based on sincerity, and burn smaller amounts of joss paper to reduce smoke and ashes.

5. 考虑参与邻近寺庙的集体祭祀。

Consider joining communal prayers in nearby temples.

Public Education Materials

Type	Reference	Link
Sincere Can Already (有心就好) Music Video		Video
A4 Public Education Poster for Lunar New Year (2025)		A4 Poster
Public Education Materials for DDPs for Lunar New Year (2025)		Video
Thank-You Video for Lunar New Year (2025)		Video
A4 Public Education Poster for 7th Lunar Month (2024)		A4 Poster
Public Education Materials for DDPs for 7th Lunar Month (2024)		Video
Thank-You Video (2024)		Video
Experts' Views on the Practice of Tossing Joss Papers (Infographics) - 2024		Infographic
Supermarket Public Education Wobblers for 7th Lunar Month (2024)		Wobblers
A4 Public Education Poster for Lunar New Year (2024)		A4 Poster
Public Education Materials for DDPs for Lunar New Year (2024)		Video
Public Education Materials for DDPs for 7th Lunar Month (2023)		Video
Experts' Views on the Practice of Tossing Joss Papers (Infographics) - 2022		Infographic
A4 Public Education Poster for 7th Month - Vertical (2023)		A4 Poster
A4 Public Education Poster for 7th Month - Horizontal (2023)		A4 Poster
Mothership: Burn more, toss more, means I huat more?		Video
A4 Public Education Poster for Lunar New Year (2023)		A4 Poster
Public Education Materials for DDPs for Lunar New Year (2023)		Video
A4 Public Education Poster for 7th Lunar Month (2022)		A4 Poster
Supermarket Public Education Wobblers for 7th Lunar Month (2022)		Wobblers
Public Education Materials for DDPs for 7th Lunar Month (2022)		Video
Our Grandfather Story: “How Your Ancestors Want To Receive Your Offerings” (July 2022)		Video